ObjectivesTo provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in finance and management. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of financial information and data. To equip students with a knowledge of advanced research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative approaches to empirical research. To provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to independent, self-directed research. To develop students' critical and analytical skills which will prepare them for employment in the financial or business sector or an education environment.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 First degree or equivalent IELTS 6.5, OR TOEFL (PB) 570, OR TOEFL (CB) 230, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C OR IELTS 6.0, OR TOEFL (PB) 540, OR TOEFL (CB) 207, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C AND Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course offered at the University of Essex of at least 8 weeks. Modules and Options The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Academic titleMSc Finance and Management
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Finance and Management aims to deepen thinking about the changing role and perception of management, and its relationship to finance within the context of shifting societal values, competing cultural influences and ideological demands, dwindling natural resources, globalized competition and the increasingly widespread impact of information technology.
Stage 1
ASSET PRICING
AUDIT THEORY
BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Compulsory: MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS
Compulsory: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
Core: CORPORATE FINANCE
Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
CRITICAL MARKETING
CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
FINANCIAL MODELLING
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
ISSUES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
MODERN BANKING
PERSPECTIVES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A2 : Role and nature of advanced concepts and theoretical models in finance and management
A3 : Competing perspectives and associated empirical evidence relating to finance and management issues.
A4 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of finance and management
A5 : An in-depth understanding of the various research methodologies available to investigate finance and management issues and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated.
A6 : In-depth understanding of particular areas in which the student has chosen to specialise.
Teaching Methods
Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A5.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of finance related issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to course.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Outcomes A1-A5 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills.
Formal:
Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B2 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
B3 : Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
B4 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B5 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
B6 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, and individual tasks given for the courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students' independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant finance theories and the analysis of empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation and econometric project. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire and enhance skills B1-B4.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Formal:
Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
The MSc Dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the dissertation (and/or econometrics project).
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C2 : Analyse and evaluate financial and management information
C3 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to analysing financial and management information and data
C4 : Analyse and evaluate financial and management data
C5 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
C6 : Research presentation and written presentation skills.
C7 : Undertake independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills C1-C5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Skill C6 is acquired through the work that students do for their dissertation. The dissertation further provides ample opportunity for students to acquire and develop skills C1-C5.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills C1-C5 are informally assessed through presentations along with the associated informal feedback. This further enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop research and presentation skills.
Formal:
Skills C1-C5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. These facilitate demonstration of knowledge of the relevant financial theories and of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D2 : Use information technology, such as word processing, databases, the web and econometric packages, to download and analyse financial and economic data.
D3 : Manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical or econometric techniques
D4 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
D6 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.
Teaching Methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through group discussion in the lectures and classes. Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through the AC953 project and individual tasks.
IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web-based material, internet and various electronic media.
Numeracy and problem solving skills (D3-D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and tasks given to the students.
Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers. These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Assessment Methods
The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the finance degree schemes. However the approach to assessment varies. Written communication skills, problem solving, numeracy and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme. Personal skills are assessed through coursework. Verbal communication skills are not formally assessed although feedback on communication skills forms part of the formative feedback provided in tutorial sessions.